Comparison

Stow vs Centee

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Stow

This privacy-focused app helps you manage your money using the envelope budgeting method. Easily divide your income into virtual envelopes, track spending in real-time, and always know your available balance. It operates entirely offline, keeping your financial data secure on your device.

Highlights
  • Envelope budgeting
  • Offline operation
  • Privacy-focused
  • Quick transaction logging
  • Customizable envelopes
  • Multi-currency support
Features
Read full description

Take control of every dollar — before it disappears. Stow is a privacy-first envelope budgeting app for iPhone. Divide your paycheck into envelopes, log spending in seconds, and always know exactly what's left. No bank connections. No account to create. No ads. No tracking. Your budget lives on your iPhone, where it belongs. WHY ENVELOPE BUDGETING WORKS The envelope method is nearly a century old, and it still works because it's simple: you decide what each dollar is for, and you stop when the envelope is empty. Groceries, rent, coffee, savings — whatever matters to you. Stow takes that system and makes it fit the way you actually live: in your pocket, at the register, five seconds at a time. WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE FREE TIER - Create up to 5 envelopes with custom icons and colors - Log unlimited transactions, in seconds, with a large number pad - Choose a monthly budget period that matches how you get paid - Automatic period rollover so you start fresh every month - Full spending history for your current and previous period - Multi-currency support — auto-detected from your region - Dark mode, Dynamic Type, and full VoiceOver support - Works 100% offline — no internet required, ever STOW PREMIUM (optional) Upgrade when you're ready for more power: - Unlimited envelopes - Weekly and biweekly budget periods for paycheck-to-paycheck budgeting - Full transaction history across every past period - Spending reports, trends, and charts - CSV and PDF export for spreadsheets or tax season - Additional budget templates to jumpstart setup - Custom themes and icon packs BUILT FOR REAL PEOPLE, REAL MONEY Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, saving for a house, paying down a credit card, or just tired of hitting Friday and wondering where it all went — Stow is the shortest path to a working budget. Log your morning coffee in two taps. See your grocery budget at a glance. Know before you swipe. PRIVACY IS NOT A FEATURE — IT'S THE FOUNDATION Most budgeting apps monetize your financial data, sell it to aggregators, or use it to train ads. Stow can't, because your data never leaves your device. There is no server. There is no analytics pipeline. We never see a cent of your spending — and we never will. The only thing that touches our systems is your App Store purchase, handled through Apple's payment infrastructure and our subscription provider (RevenueCat). Budget data stays on-device. ACCESSIBILITY Stow is designed from the ground up for everyone. Every screen supports VoiceOver, scales with Dynamic Type, works in light and dark mode, and meets WCAG AA contrast. Color is never the only way something is communicated. QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? Email stow.contactus@gmail.com — a real human reads every message. Privacy policy: https://maxk-37.github.io/stow-legal/#privacy Terms of service: https://maxk-37.github.io/stow-legal/#terms Stow is an independent app, built by a small team who believe personal finance software shouldn't require handing over your bank login.

About

Centee

Effortlessly track your expenses using voice commands or by scanning receipts. This app uses AI to extract details, allowing you to review, save, and monitor your spending without linking bank accounts. It offers a private and simple interface for managing your finances.

Highlights
  • Log expenses by voice
  • Scan receipts and bills with AI extraction
  • Track spending, income, and subscriptions
  • AI-powered ledger search and spending pattern analysis
  • Attach photos and item stickers to records
  • Use widgets and Shortcuts for faster capture
  • No bank linking required
Features
Read full description

Speak an expense or scan a receipt. Centee helps extract the details so you can review, save, and track your spending—without linking a bank account. Add a purchase in the quickest way for you. Centee helps recognize the item, amount, date, and category, then you review every detail before saving. Capture every expense in seconds No ads, account registration, bank connection, or long forms. Speak naturally, for example: “I bought a coffee this morning for $5.” Centee recognizes the item, amount, and time, then turns your words into a record you can review before saving. Keep receipts, bills, and payment screens together Store receipts, invoices, payment screens, and bills with each expense. Scan a photo and let AI help extract key details before you save. Track how you paid Record cash, cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and other payment methods alongside each expense. Ask your ledger with AI When your ledger has enough history, search a purchase or ask a question about spending. Centee bases answers on your saved titles, amounts, categories, dates, and notes—not generic financial advice. Receipt photos are not shared for these answers. Review AI results before acting. Capture faster with Back Tap Set up Centee Shortcuts and assign them to Back Tap in iPhone Settings. Double-tap to send a screenshot of a receipt or payment screen to Centee. Triple-tap to enter and save an expense through Quick Add without opening the app. More ways to stay on top of spending - Log expenses by voice - Scan receipts and bills - Track spending, income, subscriptions, and daily costs - Review category trends and AI summaries - Ask Centee about your ledger and spending patterns - Attach photos and item stickers to records - Use widgets and Shortcuts for faster capture - Export or review your history when needed Minimal by design A calm, focused interface keeps daily expense tracking simple, with no unnecessary setup. Private by design Centee does not require bank linking. AI results may need review before saving, and your records should be checked for accuracy. Centee is a personal finance tracking tool. It does not provide financial, tax, investment, credit, debt, or legal advice. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sunheihei.github.io/app-policie/centee-ios-privacy.html Terms of Use: https://sunheihei.github.io/app-policie/centee-ios-terms.html

Screenshots

Stow4 screens
Centee4 screens

Verdict

The call

Stow and Centee are too close to call on the numbers: across 7 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Stow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Centee sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stow ships an update every 4 days, Centee every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Stow versus Centee: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStowCentee
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMax Koumarelas依欢 孙

Customer experience

Stow

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Centee

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Stow

Subscriptions2
  • Stow Premium — Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Stow Premium — Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Stow Premium — Lifetime$59.99
3 purchases

Centee

Subscriptions2
  • SaySpend Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • SaySpend Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • SaySpend Pro Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Stow free?
Stow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Centee free?
Centee is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stow or Centee have ads?
Neither Stow nor Centee shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stow or Centee?
Stow ships an update every 4 days, and Centee every 3 days. Most recently, Stow was updated on October 31, 2026 and Centee on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons